One of the skits for the 1956 Elks Extravaganza, March 14 & 15, involved a crooning duo, backed up by the All Girl Elks Band. Some of these "girls" look quite muscular handling those instruments because they are really Elks brothers. Once a year, Elk members could doll themselves up for the amusement of fellow members, friends and families. The Wednesday show, the more risque of the two, was viewed by members only. The Thursday show was open to members, ladies and friends. In 1956, the show was once again directed by old time vaudeville star Max Frolic, who had been prevented from participating in 1955 by ill health. (TNT 3-11-1956, pg. A-3)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The entire cast of the 1956 Elks Extravaganza. Once a year, the Elks donned costumes, many masquerading as women, and cavorted for the amazement and amusement of their fellow lodge members, friends and families. This year, the cast includes some real women, as well as the Elks. The show in 1956 was once again under the direction of vaudeville and music star Max Frolic, who was unable to direct the previous year due to ill health. The show featured 20 outstanding acts. The backdrop depicts the "Damfino Saloon" and the Union Hotel, with the drawn window shades saluting Elk member businesses. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-3)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. A man in a tuxedo, most probably show director Bert Kool, interviews a well dressed "lady" in front of the curtain. The "lady" is actually a fellow Elk dressed as a woman. The one and a half hour show featured many Elks dressing as the "other half" all in good fun, for the amusement of their fellow members and guests. The annual show featured music, magic, dance and vaudeville routines. The 1955 show was dedicated to former vaudevillian and previous years' director Max Frolic, who was recovering from an illness of several months.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The cast of the 8th annual Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. The two and one half hour event would take place at the Elks Temple March 30 & 31, 1955. The Thursday night performance would be only for Elks, their wives and friends. This year's cast is honoring Max Frolic, the director of the show in years past, who recently recovered from an illness of several months. Bert Kool served as entertainment chairman and musical director in 1955. The "Elks Dolls," the rather frumpy looking "women" in the back row opened the show. They are Mike LaVelle, Bob Morgan, Swan Johnson, C.J. (Bud) Weller and Jack Thomas. (TNT 3/27/1955, pg. B-8)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition, the hand painted opening curtain for the show. The curtain features advertising from many Elk-owned businesses, with Art Emery's American Outdoor Advertising featured prominently in the center. Many of the ads have caricatures of the business owners. Rinaldo Keasal's reads simply "Out of Business. Retired to the Farm on I Street. Take your problems some where else."

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. The man on the right is possibly John Hreha, who listed his occupation in the 1955 City Directory as "magician." Hreha was the husband of the former LaMoyne Barcott, of the pioneering Tacoma restaurant family. The other man and girl are unidentified. The girl is being lifted into a box "house." Perhaps Hreha intends to make her disappear. The annual talent show was put on by the Elks for their fellow members, family & guests.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The "Hot Pops," (l to r) Jack Thomas, Lee Hodgert and Jack Brouillard, were one of the acts that performed at the second annual Elks Fathers and Daughters Night held on Friday March 7, 1947 at the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway. The night of fun and entertainment included local performers and three professional acts. The program's feature attraction was 6-year-old pianist, Margaret Kochendoerfer, from Portland, Oregon. (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Staffs (Sticks); Straw hats; Hats--1940-1950; Thomas, Jack; Hodgert, Lee; Brouillard, Jack;

On March 6, 1947, the audience at the Annual Elks Club Father-Daughter Program watched in awe as a local family of acrobats performed a series of stunts. Held in the Elks Temple, 565 Broadway, a large number of club members and their daughters and granddaughters performed in the program. The show's main attraction was a six year old pianist. (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Acrobatics--Tacoma; Acrobats; Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The Elks Club was having their annual Father-Daughter program at the Elks Temple in March of 1947. A large number of club members and their daughters and granddaughters would be performing. The show's main attraction was a six year old pianist. View of two Elks club members doing a dancing cow puppet show act (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puppets; Puppet shows--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The unidentified dancers in this chorus line from the Elks Club Extravaganza of 1953 were not afraid to show a little leg. The Extravaganza was produced and directed by Max Frolic (far right), well known former vaudevillian and band leader. Each of the heavily made up dancers has a distinct mole painted on his face, ala Marilyn Monroe. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Frolic, Max

Four members of the Tacoma Elks Club await the call to perform in the 1953 annual Elks Extravaganza. While all four are wearing tights and skirts, apparently two are supposed to be more masculine in nature--witness the buckskin jacket and derby hat. There were a variety of skits presented during the evening's entertainment, to the amusement of the large audience. Max Frolic, former vaudevillian, produced the two-night extravaganza, with a cast of over fifty individuals and a 35-piece Elk band. One performance was for members only. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);